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815 W. 1800 N. Logan, Utah 84321-1784 (435) 753-2342 FAX (435) 750-9540
Weather Station Siting and
Installation Tools
App. Note Code: 4-S
Copyright (C) 1997 Campbell Scientific, Inc.
Weather Station Siting and
Installation Tools
This application note describes weather station site selection, sensor placement, and the
required tools for installation and maintenance. This note is intended as a pre-purchase
reference. More detailed information about weather station installation is provided by
our Tripod, UT10, and UT30 installation manuals.
Siting and Exposure
Selecting an appropriate site for the weather station is critical for
obtaining accurate meteorological data. Typically, the site should
represent the general area of interest, and be away from obstruc-
tions such as buildings and trees.
Guidelines condensed from the following publications:
The State Climatologist (1985). Publication of the American
Association of State Climatologists: Heights and Exposure
Standards for Sensor on Automated Weather Stations, v. 9, No.
4, October, 1985.
EPA (1987). On-Site Meteorological Program Guidance for
Regulatory Modeling Applications, EPA-450/4-87-013. Office
of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle
Parks, North Carolina 27711.
WMO (1983). Guide to Meteorological Instruments and
Methods of Observation. World Meteorological Organization
No. 8, 5th edition, Geneva Switzerland.
Copyright 1997 Campbell Scientific, Inc. 1
815 W. 1800 N., Logan, UT 84321-1784 (435) 753-2342 App. Note: 4-S
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind sensors should be located over open level terrain. The EPA
recommends the wind sensor be a distance of at least ten times
the height of nearby buildings, trees, or other obstructions.
Standard measurement heights:
3.0 m 0.1 m recommended (AASC)
2.0 m 0.1 m, 10.0 m 0.5 m optional (AASC)
10.0 m (WMO and EPA)
Temperature and Relative Humidity
The sensor should be housed in a ventilated radiation shield. The
EPA recommends the sensor be no closer than four times an
obstructions height, at least 30 m from large paved areas, and
located in an open level area thats at least 9 m in diameter. The
open areas should be covered by short grass, or where grass does
not grow, the natural earth.
Avoid these:
large industrial heat sources
rooftops
steep slopes
sheltered hollows
high vegetation
shaded areas
swamps
areas where snow drifts occur
low places holding standing water after rains
Weather Station Siting and Installation Tools
2 Copyright 1997 Campbell Scientific, Inc.
App. Note: 4-S 815 W. 1800 N., Logan, UT 84321 (435) 753-2342
R E G C O M E N D E DF e e d S E N S O R SP o r t l a n d O r U S AS e r i a l 2 7 1 1 5 REGCOMENDED Feed SENSORS Portland Or USA Serial 27115 REGCOMENDED Feed SENSORS Portland Or USA Serial 27115 27115
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Standard measurement heights:
1.5 m 1.0 m (AASC)
1.25 to 2.0 m (WMO)
2.0 m temperature (EPA)
2.0 m and 10.0 m for temperature difference (EPA)
Precipitation
The AASC and EPA suggest tipping buckets be no closer than
four times the height of an obstruction. The orifice of the gage
must be in a horizontal plane, open to the sky, and above the level
of in-splashing and snow accumulation. Typically, tipping buck-
ets are sited on level ground covered with short grass or gravel.
Wind shields, such as those used by the National Weather Service,
are recommended for open areas.
Standard measurement heights:
1.0 m 1.0 cm (AASC)
30.0 cm minimum (WMO, EPA)
Solar Radiation
Pyranometers should be mounted away from shadows, reflective
surfaces, and sources of artificial radiation. Mounting the
pyranometer on the southernmost (northern hemisphere) part
(either crossarm or pyranometer mounting arm) of the weather
station should minimize shading from the other weather station
structures. The height the sensor is mounted is not critical for the
accuracy of the measurement. However, pyranometers mounted
at heights of 3 m or less are easier to level and clean.
Soil Temperature
The measurement site for soil temperature should be at least 1 m
2
and typical of the surface of interest. The ground surface should
be level with respect to the immediate area (10 m radius).
Standard measurement depths:
10.0 cm 1.0 cm (AASC)
5.0 cm, 10.0 cm, 50.0 cm, 100.0 cm (WMO)
Weather Station Siting and Installation Tools
Copyright 1997 Campbell Scientific, Inc. 3
815 W. 1800 N., Logan, UT 84321-1784 (435) 753-2342 App. Note: 4-S
Standard Tools for Installation and Maintenance
User-supplied key for enclosure lock
Magnetic declination angle for site
Tape measure:
12 feet (CM6 / CM10, UT10)
20 feet (UT30)
Open-end wrenches: 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, (2) 9/16
Level:
12 to 24 (CM6 / CM10)
24 to 48 (UT10/UT30)
Pliers
Magnetic compass
12 pipe wrench
Hammer
Small sledge (CM10, UT30)
Claw (UT10)
Felt-tipped marking pen
Socket wrench and 7/16 deep well socket
Allen wrench set (English units)
Straight-bit screwdrivers (small, medium, large)
Phillips head screwdrivers (small, medium)
Small diagonal side-cuts
Needle-nosed pliers
Wire strippers
Pocket knife
Calculator
Volt/Ohm meter
Electrical tape
6 stepladder
Datalogger prompt sheet and manuals
Station log and pen
Wire ties and tabs
Desiccant
UT30 Only
Climbing harness
Hard hats
50 haul rope
Crescent wrench
Channel-lock pliers
3/8 nut driver
Weather Station Siting and Installation Tools
4 Copyright 1997 Campbell Scientific, Inc.
App. Note: 4-S 815 W. 1800 N., Logan, UT 84321 (435) 753-2342
Special Tools for Installation Only
Lock for enclosure
Shovel
Rake
Pick / digging bar
Teflon tape or pipe dope
Conduit and associated tools (as required)
1/4 washers - often required as spacers for u-bolts (UT10/UT30)
UT10 Only
Hand saw
Materials for concrete form:
(4) 12 wood stakes
(1) 2 x 4 x 8 piece of lumber
(8) 8p double-head nails
(8) 16p double-head nails
Concrete trowels
(2) 1.0 to 1.5 thick x 24 boards to support base above
forms (optional)
UT30 Only
(4) 12 wood stakes
20 non-stretch line
Wire rope cutters (hammer and cold chisel will work)
For B18 Base and UTEYE Anchors:
Pick or digging bar
Optional:
Concrete form material: 2 x 4 lumber, stakes,
saw, hammer, nails, etc.
Concrete trowels
For UTDUK Duckbill Anchors:
Sledgehammer
Highlift jack
Chain (to attach jack to anchor loops)
For RFM18 Base:
(3) anchors appropriate for mounting surface
(3) bolts and washers to secure base to anchors
Weather Station Siting and Installation Tools
Copyright 1997 Campbell Scientific, Inc. 5
815 W. 1800 N., Logan, UT 84321-1784 (435) 753-2342 App. Note: 4-S